Get in the know: What's on the ballet for the 2010 California election

Ok California you're pretty messed up right now.
Even though our political system is fundamentally flawed and archiac I am still a very firm believer in voting.
I find that largely American citizens are too caught up with paying their medical bills and getting out of debt to really pay attention to propositions on the ballot so I've made a quick-glance guide for those who are too busy.

Important Dates:

October 18, 2010: Last day to register to vote

October 26, 2010: Last day to register for a mail-in ballot (see you don't even need to take time off work to vote, so no excuse y'all).

November 2, 2010: ELECTION DAY

Propositions on the ballot: click on the propositions to learn more about what your YES or NO vote really means.

Proposition 19- The legalization of Marijuana. I'm sure many of you have heard about this so if this is the only reason you are voting, then at least take the time to vote on the other ones.

Proposition 20: Removes elected representatives from the process of establishing congressional districts and transfers that authority to recently-authorized 14-member redistricting commission comprised of Democrats, Republicans and rep.'s of neither party.

Proposition 21: Establishes an $18 annual vehicle license surcharge to help fund state parks and wildlife programs. This would allow all surcharged vehicles free admission into all state parks. I'm super down with this one because we need to save our state parks before they become privitized so I'm going to vote YES.

Proposition 22: Would prohibit the state from taking funds used for transportation, redevelopment, or local government projects and services. I will definitely be voting YES on this, the state government has been poorly managed for way too long and the last thing we want them to do is take more money from an already underfunded sector of govt.

Proposition 23: Suspends the implementation of air polution law (AB 32) requiring major sources of emissions to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, until unemployment drops to 5.5% or less for a full year. Umm...this bill is trying to prevent big oil companies from having to report all the pollution they will be putting into our atmosphere. I would highly recommend voting NO on this because the wording of the prop. is confusing and people might not realize what they are voting for.

Proposition 24: Would repeal recent legislation that would allow buisnesses to lower their tax liablity. This is another confusing one but I'm voting YES and I'm too lazy to really explain why. But i've done the research so if you like me and my morals and ethics you'll vote this way too.

Proposition 25: Changes legislative vote requirements to pass budget and budget-related legislation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Retains two-thirds vote requirement for taxes initiative constitutional amendment. I'm really torn on this one because I don't think a simple majority would solve the problem of bad policies trying to get passed through. If I knew for a fact that all our California politicans were intelligent human beings look out for our best interests I'd vote yes on this. However, we know that's a joke so I'm not really sure whether to vote YES or NO.

Proposition 26: Requires that certain state and local fees be approved by two-thirds vote. Fees include those that address adverse impacts on society or the environment cause by the fee-payer's business. I'm going to vote YES on this one because it would result in more state and local proposals to increase revenues would require a two-thirds bote by either the legislature or by local voters.

Proposition 27: Eliminates state commission or redistricting consolidates authority for redistricting with elected representatives.

I've said a mouthful so now put the awesome back in active citizen and go get your vote on.